High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - A Shocking and Sad Revelation about Jack

Episode Date: October 6, 2021

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to another season without the playoffs, the job Dave Dombrowski has in front of him, and much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the high hopes podcast. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on radio.com and sports radio, 94 W Y P. Yo, it is another edition of the High Ops Podcast. Now, Jack Fritz and the wonderful, beautiful High Ops listeners, you might be wondering, why such a good yo?

Yes, sir. I was actually wondering the same thing. 82 wins, big deal. Who cares? They went over 500. Who gives a bleep? They were incredibly disappointing, pulled us back in a million times, made us believe a million times, and then got freaking swept in Atlanta in the most embarrassing, like, best series ever. I'll tell you what that was, Jack. I will tell you what that yo was because that yo was for once. I always attach the yo to the feel of the Phillies. You know, what's going on? What's the feel in the moment, all that?

What they're doing for us. But instead, I decided that this yo, after that season, that yo was for every single person listening to this podcast right now. It was for the diseased. It was for the people who watched that frickin' Marlins series, or at least until Sunday. I'll admit, Eagles game, I watched it I had to and I did not pay attention on Sunday but like I watched Friday and Saturday I watched that brave series with even

though I knew they weren't gonna get it like at least a touch of hope and to all the people who listen this podcast and make this what it is like thank you because that season would have been so much worse without you, and it was already pretty frustrating. So that was for everyone out there. What up, buddy? That's a beautiful opening statement, James. And I...

We got to stick together, man. Like, if we don't stick together through this, like, we will lose our minds. It's a decade, Jack. A decade. We just won 82 games. Like, a decade without the plans a decade we 82 games we got our high point this was the high water mark since i turned 30 so

yeah and now i'm 40 as we all know so anyway that sucks for all all the people with us on this ride that sucks you should try not turning 40 if i was in your in your shoes you know buddy well the alternative was not as uh appealing yeah i went i turned 40 and i was in your in your shoes you know buddy well the alternative was not as uh appealing yeah i went i turned 40 and i also want to say something to the high hopes listeners um because i want to apologize for i feel like we you know i feel like you and i kind of you know jumped around the schedule this year and like some some days we we were pretty consistent with monday and thursdays or whatnot um you know I feel like the schedule got a little jumbled this year. And, you know, part of that was because you didn't have a computer for what, like two months?

So, yeah, Jack is basically apologizing for me. I am on a new computer now. So I had a lot of times like we have to record from home, obviously, because we work. It sucks that eight hours of our day is back to back so we can never record from essentially 10 a.m to 6 p.m because we're both working concurrently back to back so uh sometimes we have to record at home the most times and i had a computer that for excuse the term fritzed out wow are you associating my name to your computer that that's literally what just popped in my head. Wow.

Fritzian slip, as they might say. Might say. But yeah, so anyway, my computer stunk. And look, buying a new computer is not like a, hey, I'm just going to buy a new computer right now. Or at least, maybe it is for some people, Jack. But believe it or not, I don't have that kind of money. So we took our time. We found the right one. We figured out what we wanted to do.

And now I have a new computer. And I'm sorry. You don't have that maturity by any 40-year-old, but I'm glad that you were able to show that level of maturity, pal. That is good process, as the kids say. Also, speaking of fritzing, was this whole last decade just on the fritz? It kind of was, man. Am I the worst thing that's ever happened to the Phillies?

I mean, no. Me or McPhail and Glentzak? Which was worse? I mean, you gave us a Bryce MVP season. That's true. So I think that alone makes it better. I mean, because Glentzak and McPhail give us nothing. Right. Nothing. Right.

Nothing. Nothing. Now, the one thing that you said in the open that I woefully disagree with, and I know this because I know you. Wow, you're about to hate on our listeners, huh? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's a weird strategy, but go for it.

Not hating on our listeners. I'm hating on you. I'm only hating on you. I like that more. That's fair. Go ahead. You said no one cared that they won 82 games. Buddy, there was a lot of people that cared they won 82 games.

Well, I know. A little bit of, yes, irony in the sense that I did care quite a bit. Yes. Because that was the largest bet I've ever made. And I don't make big bets. How much was it? $30. I'm really happy for you i don't know how embarrassing that is to admit but yes

the 30 over on 81 and a half was the biggest bet sports bet i've ever made in my life and i won it so i did care and just think if you didn't cash that bet, Zoe's not going to college. I know. I know. Alright, and a final thing here is, when are we talking about the Cubs? Oh, we're done? This is a quick pod. I know. Are we breaking down the

2016 Cubs run now? Or are we doing that a little later? Yeah, so let's just say another sorry. A lot of sorries to start off the pod we're very sorry it's like our apology tour there we shouldn't be apologizing the freaking philly should we'll get to that but yes to your point we had no idea like honestly i was like everyone else there i texted jack i see a picture of like a cubs pod in our feed. And I'm like, hey, buddy, what's this? And he's like, I don't know.

So we found out from our company that it is a company thing and that they were promoting another pod through our pod feed. And, you know, what are you going to do? Yeah, what are you going to do? Also, I mean, just a quick take on the 2016 Cubs. You know, Theo, you know, he's still overrated, and he's not going to be the Mets GM. So I'm glad he got his one World Series title

because he's never going to sniff one again. You got multiple World Series titles. Well. And how are you coming in and ripping Theo for not taking the Mets job? We should be like, thank you, Theo. You amazing human being for not wanting that job. Thank you. Well, I turned down the Phillies first.

That's why I'm mad at him. He was never coming here. Come on. A kid can dream. I know you're in your 40s now, but a young man like me can still have dreams, okay? Yes, it's true. It's true. I mean, that's the wrong dream. It's true, you know?

I mean, that's the wrong dream. We were right when we said Neander. That's the dream. Let's keep things in perspective. Yeah, I mean, it's almost like the final four teams left were all from the raised, or the highest seats or whatever. Four of the eight, yeah. Yeah, four of the eight. Well, at least we hired the analyst guy from the angels to run our team

i know it doesn't jack it doesn't matter you know why preston mattingly yeah we're all good everything we're all good yeah i mean everything's on the right track now that what i'm not gonna put too much pressure on one human being preston mattingly you're the most important person in philadelphia i'm just saying. Yeah, and all I'm saying is this, is that Preston Mattingly getting the correct son for the first time would be a nice change. You know, every other

team can have their Fernando Tatis Jr., their Vlad Jr., Boba Shett. You can have the son, but honestly, can we get the player development version of Vlad Guerrero Jr. or Fernando Tatis honestly can we get like the player development version of of vlad guerrero jr fernandez like can we get that because honestly it's probably more impactful than those guys oh no probably it's way more impactful it just flat out is i mean maybe not than all of

them together but certainly than each one individually i mean it just has a bigger impact on the overall long-term health of the club and you could do it way longer although i assume if he dominates in that role he would ascend and so on and so forth but yeah it would be nice i mean we always get the the crappy brother right we always get the you know jeremy giambi instead or instead of jason you know or mike maddox that kind of you know oh yeah mike matt i mean so many through through all the sports it's justs. Yeah, Casey Matthews is like the poster boy. I mean, so many. It's just, it's what we do.

So it would be nice to get the win on one of those for once. Not that, you know, I think there's a chance he's better executive than Donnie Baseball was. Can we call him Pressy Baseball? Does that work? That's not. No, it doesn't. Preston Baseball? Mr. Baseball? That's Tom Selleck right no i think he's i think he's pressing until we get some good studs up here

at this point he hasn't earned the the cool nickname yet um but i that's fair but i am going on the record and i'm going to say the official position i did not run this by you but the official position i love when i love when you but the official position i love when i love when you do this by the way yes when i when i make declarations that you didn't approve of yeah that i'm a part of so yeah go ahead what are we in on now preston mattingly is the vlad guerrero jr and fernando tatis jr of farm directors. Yes. Cosign.

That is the official High Ops platform company line. This is what we believe. That is the new official position. Except better. I mean, my only issue with it is it's slightly underselling, press and mattingly. I agree. But Mike Trout doesn't have a son yet in baseball, so I can't do that.

Or he doesn't have a famous dad. That's true. And he might as well be a Cowboys fan, for all I care. Yeah. I mean, he might as well not even be in baseball, right?

I mean, the impact he's making. Exactly. You know what I'm saying? Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. I mean,

you're not even the best player on your own team anymore. That's a fact. I mean, facts are facts. I mean, it's a fact. And that guy actually cares about winning i'm like i'm like yeah quickly i mean we all agree that chevy otani is the most

talented baseball player of our lifetime right like just without a like whether or not he's the best whatever you're like in terms of just pure baseball talent he is the most talented player i've ever seen well and that's without question and that's saying something from you because you saw baber i know i know i saw ruth the magio i saw ted williams i saw really maze i mean come on yeah well i mean listen he throws 100 miles an hour and he hits balls 450 feet and yeah i mean listen he put his era was what around three and it's insane and he hit like 40 it's just anyway anyway i mean that's what's so crazy is that like they just have no shot at winning ever like the angels never win wow it's it's it really is like astounding and it is such a good example of what baseball is where like

it's a perfect you know analogy for the sport. You could have the two best players in the sport. And obviously I heard this year, but Mike Trout and Tanya and like, you're not going to win anything. Like that's insane. I mean, in any other sport, you know, certainly football, if you have the best quarterback, you're going to be a playoff team every year, if nothing else. You know, basketball, you're obviously going to be a team and probably a championship team. If you've got the best player in the sport, certainly two of the best players in the sport baseball is just not like that it's awesome it's part of the beauty of it listen it's why the freaking giants can win three and five years with with teams that like people still don't remember the players of it's why the freaking

royals won in 2015 or like it's like there are so many examples of it it's it's what baseball is well i remember those giants teams sadly i know well they remember them all too well you're not that you're not that young meanwhile and they ruined my i should have said no teenage years outside of buster posey and madison bummer those names will fade into history well yeah well buster Posey was, I mean, his belt. It was, uh, Freddie Sanchez. Freddie Sanchez. How about Jonathan Sanchez? Yeah, that was him versus Utley. Cody Ross.

Cody Ross, of course. Yeah, we remember we played them, we lost them. You know what I mean? I mean, historically, like, we're going to look back on those teams, and Buster Posey and Madison Baumgartner, they're going to be the only two like truly historical relevant names you know Brandon Crawford's gonna have a great freaking career and he'll probably be underrated historically but no one's gonna in in 30 years look back at

Brandon Crawford and be like well that's one of the best I ever saw do it you know like that that but they did it like and that's what baseball is you can win like that you know and it's why the Phillies didn't win this year I mean again, again, it's a perfect contrast to the fact the Phillies have the MVP and a top three Cy Young guy, and they were an 82 in baseball team. Yeah, do you think the Angels version of High Hopes looks at the Phillies and says,

wow, it must suck to be a Phillies fan? Like we basically just did. Here's the problem with that. Angels don't have fans. Thus, no version of high hopes that's true that's true you know no one cares there's no disease the only reason this podcast exists is because we have people with us who who care like to their core about this team and it's part of the what makes them happy day in and day out it's what they live with

like what makes them them care like i know you are a perfect example i mean you are literally tied to this team and and your happiness is tied to it like the angels man they all fans like that they got like five fans like that who care like that dude it really you speak of you know how they i am like very emotionally uh connected to this team and like dude i was sitting there watching the marlins series and I was just like, I felt free. Like, I was like, wow. It was nice. Well, you know, what's funny is just to bring back home

your original point that some people cared and I cared. I didn't feel free on Friday. Like, I needed them to win that bleeping game for my money. Like, I was like, win that game. And then Saturday, it was the most free I've ever felt watching a game. It really is. It felt like I was watching a spring training game where I was like, ah, you know, I just want to see if anyone's improving. You know, I just, you win that game. And then Saturday, it was the most free I've ever felt watching a game. It really is. It felt like I was watching a spring training game where I was like, I just want to see if anyone's improving.

I'm just looking for little things. And it was like, wow, I don't have to worry about the playoffs. And what a crazy feeling that is. And then last night happens, James, and I'm sitting there, and I'm watching Yankees-Red Sox and the Bogarts home run. Bogarts home run. And you hear that roar again. And you hear the like – because the CBP roar back in the day was real.

Like, it just, it had a different level of loudness. And what I heard last night at Fenway was the same kind of thing. And it was just like, dude, I just, I miss it. I miss it so much. Like, it's, like, playoff baseball is just a different level of intensity. And like watching your team win in October is a different level of intensity and a different level of happiness and a different level of excitement. Because it can stop on a dime and it can turn on a dime and you can feel momentum coming. You can feel the loss coming.

You can feel the win coming. It doesn't matter. Like you can, you sense all of that. You can feel the wind coming it doesn't matter like you can you sense all of that you know when the ties are about to turn and when it explodes it explodes and i just i just i can't believe we're sitting here again 11 like again like the roy holiday no hitter was 11 years ago today 11 years ago i remember exactly where i was you know and it's been we haven't had like we haven't had real new phillies memories in a decade i mean we'll all we'll all forever be grateful for for

tyler goodell throwing out the runner of the plate to cameron ruff like who could ever forget where they are for that or like you know the hamels no hitter in in chicago um you know bryce signing bryce's first homer. Like, you know, the Bryce Grand Slam. Like, sure. They're fine. But, like, dude, I still get I know I said it a couple months ago, like, I'm sick and tired of hearing the highlights. And maybe that's because I

played them too much. But, like, now I play them again. And I'm like, ah, see, this is just the greatest. And maybe it's because I'm watching playoff baseball. But it's like, how did we get here? You know, like, we have now the second longest playoff, you know, drought in baseball. Like, we're, and I know it's been a lifetime of misery for many of our, well, actually not many of our listeners,

but people of your generation and older, where it's like, where it's been, where it's been decades of this incompetence. And I just, it's a new era and and and it's it's time to turn over that new leaf and it's time to start winning again like that these last four years i know we we we focus on the last four years so much but these were years that were supposed to be competing um but these last four years have just been dreadful. This year was dreadful. I mean, it was ups and downs. It was roller coasters. But after

the Diamondbacks series, I never felt like they were any good. I know you had been out earlier, but I legitimately felt like after the eight-game winning streak, I was like, okay, they're good. They figured it out. They're figuring out how to come back and win games. I see the makings of a good baseball team here. And then

the last, I don't know, two months of the year, I was like, no, they're not. They're not going to do this. They're not going to do this because they're just a losing baseball team. They don't know how to win. And I just this city has been so supportive of this team. I know the attendance

hasn't totally shown that. But people care about the Phillies in this town. And it's just a whole generation, James, of kids have no idea what winning baseball feels like. And that needs to end. They need to save baseball in this town. They need to bring it back.

Because it is magical, magical when they figure out how to win here. Yeah, I mean, I love all that, obviously. It's pretty funny because I mean, I think your last point is is the most important. And you're so right. It's that, you know, kids who are, you know, 17, 18, 16, whatever it is, you know, who are baseball fans, which, again, you know, that's something we need, right? Younger people loving the game that we love. I say that as a old person, as Jack likes to point out, but you know, these people don't know what it's like to win here. And it's hard for them to connect in the same way. And it's funny because it didn't, Chris,

like, this is something that, that it, when I stepped back from, from, you know, the 20,000, 30,000 foot view, whatever it is, like, it's, it seems obvious to me now, but it kind of crystallized in my head that I think about our pod and the way we do it and how you're always the one who's kind of more optimistic and more willing to believe and, you know, kind of more, even more frustrated when they, they lose them when you, when they make you not believe. And I, and I, I never really thought about why, like you said there, like, of course that makes sense because I grew up with a phillies team where i expected this like this last 10 years

feels way more normal for me as a fan than the five-year run that was the best run we've ever had you know so it's it's really funny because i do think that that and again you know this is like you know psychoanalytical and stuff i do think that that is like informed our perspectives as phillies fans and inform the way the the dynamic that we have on this podcast because like i go in just from what i grew up with with this like negative belief in this team and their ability to compete because it the they didn't make the playoffs till my 12th year of life. And then they didn't do it again until I was 24, 26, whatever. Like, I mean, like, and that's it. Like the first 26 years of my life, I had 93 and that was it. Like that was it until Tomi got here and it was like, oh,

they're like not horrible, but not a playoff team. And it's totally shaped the way I look at the Phillies. Like that five-year run was amazing and stuff but to me that is the total anomaly but you and people of your generation and younger than you and stuff like like you were younger when that happened that was more formative for you that was your 93 Phillies and people a little bit younger than you like that idea and it was a five-year run of glory and I just think that's really fascinating that that i do think that informs our perspective and and why for me like this 10-year drought feels more normal and and i'm with you it shouldn't jack like your main point holds like this has to end like people in this city love this team we will be there even that met series this season this season you know

during the a-game win streak we saw it at the end like people showed up people showed up for the the one glimpse the tiniest babiest glimpse of a good baseball team like smallest thing you could imagine like andy dufresne at the uh getting through the tunnel i know i know and it shouldn't be this way you're right jack again and I know that this stat is somewhat inflated by the you know eight playoff teams in each division last year but the fact that Phillies had the second longest playoff drought in the sport and the Mariners almost made it this year at least the Mariners ran into the last two days of the season it was like season really legitimately fun looking yeah like you know like at least they had that. Like, it is embarrassing. It's embarrassing that the Philadelphia Phillies, this, granted, we're a bad historical organization.

We all know that. But like that after that run, that that glory that we had in one World Series and went to another and this whole thing like that, that it's just been 10 years of utter mediocre. I mean, not even mostly bad and mediocre recently it's it it has to end jack it has to that well it doesn't have to end preston mattingly buddy no we're not putting too much pressure on you preston but i want you to end not just a decade of suffering but you know a whole lifetime and again i speak jack think about like i speak about myself and yes the the people who are older than me had like 70 late 70s early 80s run so maybe you have that and then you have the but then again from that to 93 is you know 20 years you know or 13 years i mean and then

another 20 past you know till 2007 and all that it's it's just like it's tough yeah so like i don't know if there's any um probably not but i don't know if there's any um probably not but i don't know if there's any 140 year olds listening to this podcast but preston mattingly has to change the fortunes of the losing his franchise in the history of sports uh that only had two real runs of of uh uh success glory so and then you got the whiz kids in the 93 and neither of them won so Preston that's it I mean it's crazy Preston do it for the 140 year old 40 year olds out there that have watched this baseball team for a long time Preston Mattingly who is six years younger than me let's put all of this on you buddy um all right let's let's get to Nebraska real quick

because because we haven't really talked. He did speak today. And, you know, we're joking about Mattingly, but we joke because, like, Jack and I and let me tell you how many, you know, off High Hopes conversations at work we have had about just our glowing excitement and love for Preston Mattingly. But ultimately, Dave Dombrowski hired Preston Mattingly. Dave Dombrowski is the – and I think we're excited about Mattingly because of, you know, we're player development guys and we're excited about some youth there and some development

in the future with that guy. But like right now, Dave Dombrowski, in reality, like is the most important person in this organization because he is the one who has to, like Jack, it's like a double barrel thing. Like he has to worry about making the major league roster competitive. And also the more important thing of rebuilding the franchise and the way they do things. And, and that actually, as we've talked about is something I actually have a lot of confidence in Dave Dombrowski and because he's been around winning organizations. Like he knows what a winning organization looks like. He knows how things should flow. And we know that there have been issues. So I feel confident in that. But he's got a lot on his plate, man. He's got to worry

about making this roster that is the fifth highest payroll in baseball that won 82 games better with some flexibility, but not as much as you'd like, especially if Middleton's not going over the tax. And then also worry about revamping this whole thing like we'll get into the specifics of what he said but but what are your thoughts on dombrowski leading this franchise into this offseason his first full offseason with the phillies for what it's worth um and kind of all the things that are on his plate and how he has to balance that yeah i don't know uh i guess i guess i do come off as sarcastic a lot of times, James. No. The guy who says life's a bit? No.

Everything in life is a bit? No. Yeah. Well, sometimes I'm not sarcastic, you know? I know. I've seen it. I swear I've seen it. And on Twitter, you know, sometimes it really does feel like a loss. But I did tweet a couple days ago about how, like, I'm glad Dave Dombrowski is here.

And there was a lot of comments like, are you being sarcastic? Which is like, I guess it's not great for the brand because I really do trust him. But yeah, I just, I feel really good about Dave. And I know that when we first hired, he was the only guy we didn't want. And I know it's kind of ourselves talking into it.

But really, it's more about what he's done. It's more about where this team's at. And, you know, I feel like a lot of people expected us, James, to get on this podcast and be all downtrodden about the Phillies and like, oh, another, well, they didn't have a losing season, but it sure felt like a losing season. It was for all intents and purposes. Yeah, but they hit the over, so that's all that counts.

So Zoe can go to college. Thank you. But yeah, so like, I guess the reason why I'm not that down is because of Dave Dombrowski, because I trust Dave Dombrowski, and I'm glad that he's here. And I just, the fact that he hired a guy like Preston Mattingly and, and the,

and the fact that he hired a guy like that, who I think is definitely analytically driven, you know, definitely progressive, uh, from that standpoint, but he also played the game, you know,

he was, he was a first round pick. He didn't make it, but he was a first round pick. And, um, like the fact that he trusted that guy and didn't just go and sign an old-time lifer that's like, ah, we're going to come in and we're going to work on

bunning and hitting the ball the other way and that kind of stuff. The fact that he did that, I feel like he knows what a modern organization needs to look like and he needs to get the Phillies there. And I'm just really, really impressed with him. I'm impressed that he's coming in and he's not using the old notions that were here and is kind of flipping that on its head a little bit. Firing Joe Dillon and firing Juan Castro was impressive to me. He didn't care.

Yeah, he doesn't care. He knows what is right and what is wrong. When they made all the announcements about player development, even back then it was like, wow, this guy's been here for eight months and he's basically cleaning out the top of the department because he knows what a real modern baseball team is supposed to function from the top down. And if they can execute and actually execute having data-driven stuff with the, you know,driven stuff with the you know players perspective you know where there are working on hitting behind runners or whatever and playing smart fundamental

baseball and you actually are developing a philly's way so when these guys come up here they know what they're doing and then you don't have to hear and read articles about the the organizational dysfunction that's going on in the minor leagues, and you have all that stuff. And you can actually get everyone on the same page, and you can have players come up and actually produce and be ready to go. I'm so glad that he's here, and there's an adult in the room,

and that I don't think Middleton knows what he's doing, and I think that's been proven. But I think he has a guy at that. And that like, I don't think Middleton knows what he's doing. And I think that's been proven. But I think he has a guy now that he can be like, all right, well, I trust you. And I'm just, I'm just so impressed that he's not just bringing in all these old guys and

entrusting them. Like he actually knows that you're not catching the Dodgers. You're not catching these teams by going back to the old way. And I'm sorry if that, if that annoys older people, but they're not winning by going back and doing the little things or whatever, which is important, but it's not how you actually win big.

So I'm really impressed. Preston Mattingly, I thought, was a massive hire. Just being a man of action and and stepping in here knowing how this is supposed to look and and doing the job and like there was work I was worried when they hired him that like he was more focused on Nashville and he was only here because Nashville kind of fell through well he's been committed I mean he's been very committed to his job here and I think that's, and I'm glad he's here. And honestly, I just can't wait for this offseason

because I think we're going to see the real Dave Dombrowski. I am giving Dave Dombrowski a pass for the Chase Andersons and Matt Moores and the moves from last year. I'll give him a pass on that stuff because I think the real Dave Dombrowski is going to show up this offseason. Yeah, man. I'm right there with you look at that certainly not something i expected to say a year ago at this time when we were saying please don't

hire dave dombrowski look sometimes we're wrong most of the times we're wrong most of the time we're wrong we're not right but we were not like at least so so far, like I'm with you. What I've seen Dave Dombrowski, like hand up. I was wrong because I, to your point, we thought it was an Andy McPhail type of hire, right? Like this is the, the original idea of what at least John Middleton thought he was getting an Andy McPhail. That's Dave Dombrowski. Like the, the guy who's been around the league forever, who knows everyone who's plugged in, who's a baseball lifer, who understands what a modern organization is supposed to look like, but also understands what's important from the old part of baseball, from the less modern organization. Something that he is one with all these things, knows how a player development organization should look like, knows what a draft and, you know, like all these plans and processes and stuff should look like. a draft and you know like all these plans and processes and stuff should look like and and to your point is willing to take action is not just putting his feet up and saying hey i'm here i'm

gonna hang out for a while like dave dombrowski's here to to do something and and i'm i'm i'm so with you on on how impressed i've been with what he's done and the mattingly hire is certainly part of it but to your point i think him just cleaning house alone, like that was another bold move by him. Like he got rid of two assistant general managers and another guy who's been in the organization for a significant portion of time. Like he came in and said, like, you're all out

because we all need to be on the same page. We need, to your point, a Phillies way, whatever that is, because we all know there's a Rays way and we all know there's a Dodgers way and we all know there's an Indians way or we all know there's a Blue Jays way now or whatever it is like all these smart organizations. That's what they do. They have their way of doing things top to bottom and to have a way inherently, right? Like you all have to be doing the same thing. You all have to be teaching the same thing. You have to be working towards the same goal. And that was clearly not the case with,

with what was set up on Nebraska got here. And look, I'm, I'm willing to give him a pass on last off season two. I'm not, I'm not going to like fully say that, that I'm like, Oh yay. Anderson and more, that was a waste of money. It was, but at the same time he did come in midstream. He came in after like, look, Robbie Ray for $8 million. Like, you should have signed that guy, right? But he was signed before Dombrowski even got hired, you know?

So it's like, I can't kill Dave Dombrowski for that. So I think the key is that this guy knows what, to your point, to the point we keep making, this guy knows what a high-functioning organization should look like. And to your point about the Nashville thing that i thought was interesting because we both had concerns about that if you flip it around and look at it like like dave nombrowski is has won world series with two teams he's taking another to the world series like if dave nombrowski can can take the phillies like to that next level win a world series get them back into

contention or again like like that's like we're talking like all-time baseball executive resume. Like, whatever you want to say about the person, the individual decisions, all that. Like, he has a chance to not just be a Hall of Famer. Like, he's going to be a Hall of Famer. Like, he has a chance to be like, you know, talked in the Pat Gillick range and that kind of stuff. He might, you know, be getting close to that anyway,

but if he can turn this Phillies thing around and set something up that's sustainable when he's gone, I mean, he's going to be remembered as one of the great executives in baseball history. Seriously. And the thing that I love is that for the first time, I want to say maybe since Gillick, and Rube's tough because, you know,

he did get a good job at the beginning and we obviously know how it ended. But, um, like for the first time in a little while here, it feels like the Phillies are actually changing and they're actually changing in a way that I can, I can believe in. Like I thought I believed in Klintac.

I thought I believed in those guys, but now that, you know, we're more, more seasoned in this and we're, we're starting to see how this whole thing works. I feel like they're actually changing and we're starting to see how this whole thing works, I feel like they're actually changing. We're starting to see a new Phillies kind of,

well, I hope it turns into a Phillies way. Ultimately, it's going to manifest itself on the field. Like next year, I don't know if I can sit through another season where every big trade we make or every free agent signing they make that's not Wheeler or Harper, the big guys. I can't sit there another year where the marginal guys don't step up and make a difference. But it feels like the tide's kind of turning here. It feels like we're about to enter into a really good era of Phillies baseball.

I don't know if it's going to be next year. I really think they're going's going to be next year. I actually, I really think they're going to make the playoffs next year. I just, I have a good feeling. I have a good feeling. Of everything that was said in this entire podcast, that was the most Jack Fritz thing said.

I have a really good feeling about it. This time next year, we're going to be ready for playoff Phillies baseball. You are the best. No, I couldn't be more confident that they're going to make the playoffs next year. It might be blind optimism.

It might be all that stuff, but the playoff drought is coming to an end next year with Dave Dombrowski in charge, a guy that's going to be able to find the guys, the value, like the fringe guys, the Marcus Simeons, the Robbie Rays. Let's go with the Blue Jays.

Yeah, just sign the Blue Jays, whoever they want. But seriously, I just feel like that there is this tide that is turning here. Dave Dombrowski traded for Steve Pearce and won a World Series MVP because he matched lefties. That's the kind of moves that they just haven't. Well, I mean, look, we need not go further than last night. Nate Evaldi is on the Red Sox because of Dave Dombrowski.

Right. Most of that team is put together because of Dave Dombrowski. Not starting his second big postseason with that. I mean, Evaldi has had massive moments in Boston. Yeah, well, a lot of that team. I mean, that's still a lot of specifically last night. We saw a perfect example of it. Yeah, it's just I trust the guy that's in charge. And if they have a like a real adult in the room leading this thing from the top down, knows how to win, knows

the right what the right guys are like. If this was Andy McPhail hiring Preston Mattingly, I'd be like, oh, no shot. But it's Dave Dombrowski. And I feel like, you know how back in the day when you would go to bed on a horse, you'd have to look into the horse's eyes? Like, I just feel like that's how Dave Dombrowski looks at his hires. And he knows that I look him in the eye and know if they're a winner or not. I love it. I hope he does that. Dude, I just, I'm so happy. All right. Quickly, quickly before we get out of here, specifically with what Dombrowski said today, cause he did say a lot and he was, you know, lukewarm on Girardi. It seemed, you know, said DD not locked in.

That was good to hear. Said they need a power bat in the lineup. Talked about a leadoff hitter. All these different things. Just taking it on account. We'll talk more about this stuff. Obviously, as the season progresses, we're obviously going to do our perfect offseason at some point. We are

at some point going to go back and look at all the losses. The killer some point we are at some point going to go back and look at all the losses the killer no the big one you know i mean the the the monumental ones that we remember and and and diagnose that um but but just you know big picture what he had to say today what was your takeaway well full disclosure is that i was on the air when the whole thing was going on so like yeah exactly seeing the quotes on generally i am very excited to go home and watch it though because i i get a little giddy every time i hear dave talk he just makes me feel so he feels he feels so much better about the phillies you know

like he could he could sell me on them when the world series next year i'd be like yeah i agree dave you're you make me feel so good about the phil's but uh well compared to annie mcphail what a win that is well dude it's like it's like compared to annie mcphail and then having to listen to this eagles head coach uh it's like oh wow this is not how it's supposed to sound um but but uh like the the manager thing i thought was interesting like the fact that he wasn't even thinking about the club option was like, ah, Joe, I don't know.

I like, like he was, they basically did. They, they kind of cornered him. Like, no, it said on the first release,

they had the club option and he's like, all right, well, I guess he has a club option. Um, for basically like, yeah, he's out unless like he really impresses me this year.

Like could not have made him more of a lame duck manager. Yeah, which is great. Fine! Love it! Yeah, I wish he'd fired him. I'm guessing Don Middleton said I'm not paying him to leave. I had to guess. I think he's still paying Gabe who's won 106 games this year. 107, Jack. 107.

And I was actually thinking about it. We're talking about the next managerial search and the guy that looks the horse in the eyes and knows if he's a winner or not. Has Dave Dabrowski ever not hired the right manager? So he hired

Leland in Detroit. He hired Felipe. He hired Cora too. He hired Alexeland in Detroit. He hired Felipe. Did he? He hired Cora, too? He hired Alex Cora, who was... I mean, Cora is an all-time great manager hire. Like, all-time great hire. Like, you can bring up the cheating all you want with Alex Cora. Like, Alex Cora might be the best manager I've seen in my life.

Not might be. I mean, I think, look, this version, no. But, like, old-school Tony La Russa is, I think, the best manager I've seen in my life. But he's up there. And can we not? We're falling in the trap. Kevin Cash is the best manager in baseball. Let's not forget that.

But Alex Cora is one of the best I've seen. I'm very with you. Well, I'm still mad at Kevin Cash for Blake Snell, but that's just me. We just got to. Yeah, I i know it was a massive mistake well also like dude dude i mean kevin cash also has disgusting guys all the resources is everything you could possibly have but kevin cash is very good he's not of course he's very good but alex cora like but i agree i think alex cora is a way of relating to players, and it seems like he has relationships with players and getting the most out of players in a way that other people don't. Look, this Red Sox

team was an 80-win team in terms of win projection coming into the season. They rejected him in 80 games. He got a lot out. They had the fourth pick in the draft last year. Yeah. Now they won 92 games. Of course. They got that freaking short stop. It's like, come on.

Marshall Lama. Yeah, I know. It's okay. Like, Haim would mess that up. Come on. Well, he didn't sign a second-round pick. Haim's washed. But, yeah.

But other than that, he hired Leland in Detroit. He hired Felipe A. Liu. And he hired Alex Cora. And, I mean, he did inherit John Farrell. So he hired Alex Cora. He did inherit John Farrell, so he knew he was wrong. Maybe Dombrowski saw what he saw from Girardi last year and said,

listen, if you don't show up this year, you're out. It's just surprising that we're here with Joe, but the Yankees can have him back if they want. People forget that. Oh yeah, they might want. but the Yankees can have him back if they want. Like if they really, I mean, people forget that. Oh, yeah. I mean, they might want.

That 2017 Yankees team, you know, people forget about that team. The architects of that fine squad. If you want him back, go ahead. Yes. We would be willing to barter with you. Yes. Yes. So that was interesting to me.

The Didi thing, like i'm glad he was seemingly very open and honest about it like i would hope so he did bat like 206 this year and plays in the worst event as i've seen so he'll probably be back because of the 14 million dollar contract and and whatnot but it was refreshing to see like yeah no he wasn't good enough and that's probably how he felt. You know, look at the player development and front office stuff like that. Yeah, I'm sure it was.

And he was like, oh, I can fire these guys quicker. Get out. I'm with you. I think it is refreshing. I am really curious. Like, he's talking about a middle-of-the-order bat. How are you going to get that? Is it through a trade?

I don't think it's going to be through uh free agency just because i don't know if the luxury tax threshold is going down i definitely don't think they're going to go over it um so i'm very curious to see if you can get a middle of the order bat because that would be that would be massive yeah i think it's unbelievably necessary i mean we saw it this year even when reese out and And Rees is a nice bat, obviously. But with Rees out, it was like the line just tanked. I mean, Harper was hit. We know that.

So, yeah, they desperately need one. And, you know, we'll dive into the names and the Corey Seegers of the world and the Cassianos of the world. Carlos Correa. Yeah, there's some names out there. Dude, it's a Trevor story. I was actually going through the free agent tracker yesterday. It's insane

this year. There's names. If they don't get two impact players, that's the minimum. There's so many players. There's so many good players. That's why. I do think, look, Dave Dombrowski said that it's not about how much, it's not that we're not spending enough money, it's how we use the money.

And he's right. Look, they have the fifth highest payroll in baseball. They should absolutely be able to be a playoff team. With that, again, the Rays, all these teams, the Rays had a quarter of that money. The Phillies were bottom five in baseball in terms of dollars per win. Bottom five. And they won 82 games. You know what I mean?

Like, that's like obviously not enough and stuff, but in terms of dollars per win, they're a team that won in the 50s and stuff like that. You know, low 60s. So if you think about dollars per win, like that's how bad the Phillies were this year comparative to how much they spent. So he's right about that,

but at the same time, the situation they're in, Jack, like I don't know without the minor league influx that we've talked about where you have to build that from the ground up. I don't know how you get better without spending, without going into tax. You can make some creative trades, whatnot. You can do that, but if we're really talking about being a playoff team, suck it up and spend money. I don't know what else there is.

Well, but I do think that. Right now. Right now. That's fine. But I do think with McCutcheon's off the books, Oduble's off the books, that's $35 million that has opened up there. I think you should be able to make some good, smart signings with that kind of money.

So I'm not going to say – obviously, I want them to go over the tax, but I'm trying to work within the realms of reality. And honestly, I hear what you're saying about going out and buy i'm just i'm sort of sick of buying like i just don't think it's how you win and i know they gotta do it they really want to compete next year i'm just i'm just i know it's gonna take a little bit for the the uh real turnaround the minor leagues with the talent in the lower levels it's just i'm kind of sick of it like getting getting free agents in here is fun, but I just don't think it's how you win,

and I don't think it's how you sustain winning, and I don't think it's... Oh, I agree. I agree. We both agree, but I'm saying for right now, what else are you supposed to do for the situation you're in right now with Bryce Harper and Zach Wheeler and this core of guys that you've paid money to

that are here to win, that are ready to win. You're already spending all this money. What else are you going to do? Like, I don't know what other option there is to make this team significantly better in the short term, talking this year and next year. I don't know what else there is to do, Jack. Like, I'm with you.

I want them to, that's why I said a double-barrel approach before. I almost feel like Dombrowski's in this spot where he has to, you know, find a way to do whatever he can to compete at the major league level now because of who's here, how much money you've spent, the organizational commitment, the commitment to the fans you've made. You've said it's time and all that stuff. But at the same time, like the far more important thing is the thing happening over there with Preston Mattingly and whoever else you hire and Brian Barber to make that for the future and really for three, four or five years from now. Like that's the that's the most important thing but for the here and now the how do we compete next year like i just don't i don't know what the other path is you have some money freed up obviously and if you use it creatively great like i'm all for that but like i mean if you really want to be markedly

better i don't know what else you do well whatever decision is made they're gonna make the they're gonna make the playoffs and you can book it you can book it whatever move they make i think they're gonna go out and spend some money um and when they do it's gonna be the correct move and everything is fine so that's my final message on that but yes i love it look at you happiness positivity hashtag We trust you, Dave. Yes. Yes.

Our guy, Dave, that we never doubted. Not for one second. Not once. No, not once. are you got any take bag or did you get it all out already?

Uh, no, I got some take bags. Uh, okay. Yeah. Okay. We got some stuff that I had written down here.

All right. Well, let's, let's do it. I'm getting there for it. Oh, I come for the take bag. Everything else is filler.

The Bryce end of season press conference was pretty annoying to me. He's talking about how the minor leaguers didn't come up and do their jobs and whatnot. And it's like, yeah, I mean, sure. Boehm didn't have a good year. But other than that, did the Phillies not make the playoffs because Maton, Moniak, I mean, sure. Boehm didn't have a good year. But other than that, did the Phillies not make the playoffs because Maton, Moniak, Luke Williams, some bullpen guys, some stuff? Did they miss the playoffs because those guys weren't good?

Or was it because Didi took a step back? McCutcheon wasn't the same player. Your boy, Brandon Kintzler, was terrible. My boy? No, no. Bryce's boy, Brandon Kintzinsler was terrible um my my boy no no bryce bryce's boy brandon was terrible like i actually i kind of agree and kind of don't i do think you're right and chase more matt and chase chase more let's just say chase more why not why not yeah listen his that anderson that's part of it too yes but i i i agree with you partially but i also think that like

in a macro sense i think he's right like i also think that like in a macro sense i think he's right like i do think that like that organizational depth is the biggest problem with this team like the fact that when guys get hurt when guys struggle there is no organizational depth to come up and fill in those holes i mean like the dodgers the rays they just keep bringing guys up they keep moving in guy like shane baz is gonna pitch game two of the playoffs like he wasn't with the team most of the season. There's so many, the actually good Noah Cinder guard.

Yeah. Yeah. Like, yeah, that's good. A good thing. But they just, you know,

wonder if you could trade Willie Adam, Adam is cause you got Wander Franco. Let's go. And that's a high end version of this. But I mean the idea that like, I do think Bryce has a point. I just, I don't think that blaming this past season on that

is the correct or right tack. But I do think that he's right organizationally. They need that. They need guys that they can cycle, especially the pitching side, I think, bullpen side. Have these guys who can come up and get outs. Like, please. No, and listen, I agree from the standpoint of the whole organization.

He did come from Washington, who had Juan Soto coming through the system, and Victor Robles, who isn't that good. But he had young talent that was coming up and ready to go. And I understand, but I'm just saying, blaming this last year on minor leaguers is not the correct take. I agree. I agree. Inherently, I agree. I just want to send a congratulations, and hopefully they re-sign this guy,

to Hector Neris, the all-time franchise leader in strikeouts by a reliever. Never a doubt. Hector the Protector. And please re-sign him. Sure, except that I feel like by saying that we just cause Hector like trip and break an arm or something. Because we can never say anything nice about Hector without him you know ruining it the next day so or later that day so just just maybe stay home for a day Hector be careful but yes Kosa well this is the new Phillies James so I'm not worried for Hector anymore Hector's gonna be fine and resign Hector congratulations on being the all-time leader in strikeouts

by reliever for a guy who's not a closer apparently moving on I have a name for hitting coach that I want them to hire are you ready yeah no one's going to know who this is so this is very niche this is for the 49th minute this is for the 49th minute of this podcast

for the people that are still listening yes his name is Aaron Bates he is the assistant hitting coach This is for the 49th minute of this podcast for the people that are still listening. Yes. Yes. The real ones. His name is Aaron Bates. He is the assistant hitting coach for the Dodgers. Great organization to go after. I'm in. I'm in.

I'm in. I don't need to hear anything else. I'm in. Yes. And Bryce talked about how he wants the best guy out there that's on the market, at least. I think coming from the Dodgers, knowing how that's done knowing that they they like basically create swing plans for every single hitter on their team and they all know how to hit like the dodgers everyone comes up and they know exactly what to do and um i think gail

mentioned that they want to get a top-down approach like on the pitching side they already had that with kotham and and hopefully working their way down there. Well, same thing needs to happen on the hitting side, and I think Aaron Bates is the right guy to lead that just from the standpoint of coming from the Dodgers, seeing how they do things, having swing plans. That's what made the Giants so impressive this year. Every guy felt like he had a plan of attack and knew what he was doing and actually game-planned

and all that stuff. And I think the Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball when it comes to game-planning and actually game-planned and all that stuff. And I think the Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball when it comes to game-planning and actually having their teams prepared for certain pitchers. So Aaron Bates, the assistant hitting coach with the Dodgers, is my, and High Hope's, official pick for replacing Joe Dillon as hitting coach. Go, son.

Yes. James, it looks like the three batter minimum and the runner on second rule is done-zo. I actually wish they would have kept the runner on second rule, personally. Yeah, me too. Me too. I'm good with it. Yeah.

Yeah, it made games fun. I don't need 17-inning baseball games. They're fun and all that, but I can't stay up until 4 in the morning to watch a baseball game. I can't stay up until 2 in the morning to watch a baseball game. Like, I wish I could.

Like, I would if I had all the free time in the world, but, like, I have to work. It's just a lot for me. Like, I'm 40, Jack. I'm old. Yeah. I'm good with it. Yeah.

So, I would be fine'm good with it I would be fine if they brought it back selfishly the games here during the day that go to extra innings wow I love the extra inning rule because it gets the game over with and I don't have to stay that much longer yeah I would

turn that decision around if I was major league baseball I don't see the downside in doing it, but whatever. Anniversary of Doc's no-hitter. What a major, you know, what a day. I still maintain to this day that he had better stuff in that game than he had in his no-hitter. Also, Jay Bruce was selfish for not getting out and taking that walk, even though it was a strike on the 2-2 count.

So, yeah, Jay Bruce, forever the villain here and never was liked as a player. Also cost Roy Halladay a perfect game in the playoffs. So, magical day. Magical day. Yeah. You know, I can't do that to Jay. He was your guy.

I enjoyed Jay here. And also, it's not Jay's fault the ump was bad. That was the ump's fault. It should have been a strikeout. It's on the ump. I agree. I agree. Just one of those

moments where you'll never forget where you were. What a magical day. And the final thing, going off of that, have I told you or anyone on this podcast that i never went to one playoff game during that phil's run what yeah no yeah no what maybe i've been too ashamed to ever put that out there um but yeah i never went to one playoff game i i watched them all from home. Wow, man. I'm blown away by this.

I probably went to over the whole run, I don't know, 10? Maybe I went to a World Series game. Maybe not 10, but at least 8 to 10. Wow. I know. That's crazy. Yeah, I never went to one. I'm legitimately shocked by that.

Yeah. Legitimately shocked. I was playing baseball in high school still, you know, so I didn't have all the time in the world to get down there. And my parents never were like, ah, well, they'll be in it next year. We'll take you. And then it was like, well, next year happened. And then it was 2012.

And I was like, well, I'm just kidding. And I was like, ah, well, next year they'll be in. And then a decade later, I'm doing a podcast talking about how I've never been to a playoff game. I have never been to a Phillies playoff game. Wow. This is unreal. This is unreal, man. All right.

So this is perfect that you said this because you made the point earlier, like, oh, they're going to do it. Dave and this. Like, forget the decade. Forget all of it like do it to bring jack to a playoff game like what are we doing here get jack to a playoff game that should be uh the the club's motto this year what else are we doing jack yeah oh my god buddy they should oh my god i can't believe this like i'm i'm i'm like both flabbergasted and terribly sad for you i want you to be in a playoff game believe me i'm sad for myself um honestly like i agree with you they should make a sign like notre dame does and have that hanging in the locker like ted lasso the believe the boom it should be get jack to the

playoff they should hit with their hand every time they walk out of the locker room. Clubhouse, boom. I agree. So, yeah, and honestly, I've already thought about my playoff plans. And, I mean, I could probably get a press credential if I wanted to, but I'm spending the money. I'm being fan guy that night i'm not doing the whole oh i'm gonna go to the press box for the for a playoff game no i i'm already

thinking about it and i need i want to be a fan for for for that night so uh i will i just i don't know why i never brought it up on this podcast before, but I figured it was about time. And the playoff drought is ending this year. It's over. This time next year, you and I, pal, are going to be doing a live High Hopes from somewhere, I'm sure, getting set for a Phil's playoff game.

And I genuinely, genuinely can't wait. It's going to be great. It's going to be glorious. This is not going to be a reverse jinx. That's over. Dave is here. It's going to be glorious. This is not going to be a reverse jinx. That's over. Dave is here. It is go time. I need playoff baseball.

I wish I was a part of playoff baseball back in the run, but it's time for a new run. I love it. I got nothing else to say. Do it for Jack. That's where I'm at. You've said that many times on this podcast. Yeah, but this time this is like everyone else listening who's the vast majority of playoff games, but this time, I mean, this is like everyone else listening

who's the vast majority of the playoff games I'm guessing are like, God, poor Jack. This is sad. They've heard this guy talk about the Phillies. Someone whose whole identity is the Philadelphia Phillies who literally lives and dies, like whose entire day or week or whatever is either made happy or sad strictly on the results of this kid's game.

Like, man, you need to be at a playoff game, Jeff. I thought about this the other day. I think about the Phillies a lot. I know, buddy. A lot. Yeah, Jeff. I thought about this the other day. I think about the Phillies a lot. I know, buddy. A lot. Yeah. Yeah. Like, a lot.

Like, far too much. I love you, and I love the Phillies, and I love this podcast. You think about the Phillies, too. You do. You do. For your own mental health. For your own sanity. Dude, I gotta be honest.

I gotta be honest. I love it. Like like i wouldn't change i wouldn't change it for a second and i know they're like they've lost like more like i i don't care i don't care i love it i love them i love this baseball i really do i really love them i know we know and for every every single person right now is nodding their head and being like yep we know for the first time in a while though, James, I really trust them.

And that's, that's a good place to be at. Oh buddy. I love it. I love it. Um, you got anything else? I don't.

Everything's great. I think, I think it's a good spot to end on. Just pure positivity. Just blind optimism gotta be honest a little positive for an 82 and 80 team you think buddy yeah i think so it's yeah yeah i think so i think so um all right uh we'll be back soon you know my week off are you and i doing a parade down broad for 82 and 80?

Like, are we planning that for this weekend? Oh, buddy. Uh, MVP. Hey, MVP.

My last question before getting out of here. And you got to answer this honestly, because we don't lie to the high hopes listeners. Oh, terrific. Who makes the playoffs first? The Phil's or the Eagles? Oh, the Philly. Wow Eagles? Oh, the Phillies.

Wow, it sucks for the Eagles. They must be screwed. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Phillies. For sure. Wow. I actually feel strangely confident about that.

Yeah, that's because you listen to – I don't know if that's bad or good. That's because you've listened to the last 59 minutes of this podcast, Bell. All right. We're out of here. We'll talk to you soon. We'll definitely be back with all kinds of off-season content and all that. And again,

you know, we love you all. We wouldn't be here without you. And thanks for being weird with us. You know, think about Jack this time. Oh, not too much.

Think about him and how he's never been to a playoff game and how, let's put that out there now. Like, just imagine, you know, when you go to bed at night, maybe take like 30 seconds. I'm not saying, you know, everything or whatever, but 30 seconds and just think, envision Jack jumping up, waving his rally towel, getting excited at a Phillies playoff game.

Let's put it out in the universe. Let's secret this thing, dude. Let's secret this thing. Let's make it real. What do you think? Well, my only thought at this point is I really hope Dave's listening to this point of the podcast. I'm going to guess no one's listening

at this point of the podcast. Well, they should be. Yeah, for that reason, we should probably get out of here. You know? Yeah, I agree. We trust you, Dave! Spread some salt right here.